Help ID this regulator breathing system pls

[Wally Sim]

Sorry if this is the wrong forum but can anyone provide some information on the units in these photos.? The are from photos of the f43 cockpit and the operating manual for the FM-2 wildcat

Many thanks

 

[pararaftanr2]

Sorry if this is the wrong forum but can anyone provide some information on the units in these photos.? The are from photos of the f43 cockpit and the operating manual for the FM-2 wildcat

Many thanks

Wally,
The unit in your photos is a demand oxygen regulator made by Mine Safety Appliance Company for the U.S. Navy. It was used with their "type D" facepiece. This type of oxygen equipment was also installed in early production Hellcats and Corsairs and predates the use of the dilutor demand oxygen systems that used the type A-14 mask . It remains virtually unknown to the public to this day because the mask and attaching hose were considered a part of the unit and remained in the aircraft, largely unseen, unlike later oxygen masks which were issued as personal equipment and carried by the aviator when outside his aircraft. Attached is a photo of the regulator, hose and mask which are in my collection. The image has also been previously published on my web site, here: https://pilotsmanyourplanes.com/Page_12.html
Best regards, Paul

 

[jmcalli2]

Wally,
The unit in your photos is a demand oxygen regulator made by Mine Safety Appliance Company for the U.S. Navy. It was used with their "type D" facepiece. This type of oxygen equipment was also installed in early production Hellcats and Corsairs and predates the use of the dilutor demand oxygen systems that used the type A-14 mask . It remains virtually unknown to the public to this day because the mask and attaching hose were considered a part of the unit and remained in the aircraft, largely unseen, unlike later oxygen masks which were issued as personal equipment and carried by the aviator when outside his aircraft. Attached is a photo of the regulator, hose and mask which are in my collection. The image has also been previously published on my web site, here: https://pilotsmanyourplanes.com/Page_12.html
Best regards, Paul

Somewhat related is the brief hint in this short bio of Dr. Bird; Dr. Forrest Bird, Inventor of Medical Respirators and Ventilators, Dies at 94

 

[YGBSM]

Wally,
The unit in your photos is a demand oxygen regulator made by Mine Safety Appliance Company for the U.S. Navy. It was used with their "type D" facepiece. This type of oxygen equipment was also installed in early production Hellcats and Corsairs and predates the use of the dilutor demand oxygen systems that used the type A-14 mask . It remains virtually unknown to the public to this day because the mask and attaching hose were considered a part of the unit and remained in the aircraft, largely unseen, unlike later oxygen masks which were issued as personal equipment and carried by the aviator when outside his aircraft. Attached is a photo of the regulator, hose and mask which are in my collection. The image has also been previously published on my web site, here: https://pilotsmanyourplanes.com/Page_12.html
Best regards, Paul

Thank you for the informative reply. That one was a head-scratcher. I've also bookmarked your website!

 

[MiTasol]

Wally, The image has also been previously published on my web site, here: https://pilotsmanyourplanes.com/Page_12.html
Best regards, Paul

Great site and I love the photos and the minimal captions, short, complete and to the point. I have passed the link to a friend who collects uniforms and equipment.

Do you know of an equivalent site for AAC and/or AAF aircrew equipment?

Thanks

Mi

 

[pararaftanr2]

Great site and I love the photos and the minimal captions, short, complete and to the point. I have passed the link to a friend who collects uniforms and equipment.

Do you know of an equivalent site for AAC and/or AAF aircrew equipment?

Thanks

Mi

Hello Mi,
Thank you for the kind words. I am unaware of any similar sites for USAAF collectors. I started mine a few years ago as an alternative to writing a reference book on the subject. My thinking was that I could make additions, and any corrections necessary, as new information became available.
Regards, Paul

 

[Wally Sim]

Wally,
The unit in your photos is a demand oxygen regulator made by Mine Safety Appliance Company for the U.S. Navy. It was used with their "type D" facepiece. This type of oxygen equipment was also installed in early production Hellcats and Corsairs and predates the use of the dilutor demand oxygen systems that used the type A-14 mask . It remains virtually unknown to the public to this day because the mask and attaching hose were considered a part of the unit and remained in the aircraft, largely unseen, unlike later oxygen masks which were issued as personal equipment and carried by the aviator when outside his aircraft. Attached is a photo of the regulator, hose and mask which are in my collection. The image has also been previously published on my web site, here: https://pilotsmanyourplanes.com/Page_12.html
Best regards, Paul

Amazing!.. Thanks so much for the info Paul

 

[Wally Sim]

Wally,
The unit in your photos is a demand oxygen regulator made by Mine Safety Appliance Company for the U.S. Navy. It was used with their "type D" facepiece. This type of oxygen equipment was also installed in early production Hellcats and Corsairs and predates the use of the dilutor demand oxygen systems that used the type A-14 mask . It remains virtually unknown to the public to this day because the mask and attaching hose were considered a part of the unit and remained in the aircraft, largely unseen, unlike later oxygen masks which were issued as personal equipment and carried by the aviator when outside his aircraft. Attached is a photo of the regulator, hose and mask which are in my collection. The image has also been previously published on my web site, here: https://pilotsmanyourplanes.com/Page_12.html
Best regards, Paul

Hi Paul..just revisiting this old post. Do you have any detailed photos of this unit?

 

[pararaftanr2]

Hi Paul..just revisiting this old post. Do you have any detailed photos of this unit?

Wally,
Just saw your question. Currently I do not have photos of the regulator, as it is in storage. When I can retrieve it, I would be happy to take and post some images for you though.
Here is a better view of the MSA "D" facemask that attached to it. Similar in many ways to its predecessor, the "C" type mask, used with the MSA rebreather oxygen system (seen in the "Midway" film from November 2019), but lacking the valve in the upper hose and with the addition of two exhalation vents on the cheeks of the mask. Originally, the mask exterior was covered with a layer of foam to help prevent freezing at altitude, but it was found to interfere with the wearing of goggles, so it was removed from the upper portion of the mask in later production runs, as seen on this example.

 

[pararaftanr2]

Wally,
Just saw your question. Currently I do not have photos of the regulator, as it is in storage. When I can retrieve it, I would be happy to take and post some images for you though.
Here is a better view of the MSA "D" facemask that attached to it. Similar in many ways to its predecessor, the "C" type mask, used with the MSA rebreather oxygen system (seen in the "Midway" film from November 2019), but lacking the valve in the upper hose and with the addition of two exhalation vents on the cheeks of the mask. Originally, the mask exterior was covered with a layer of foam to help prevent freezing at altitude, but it was found to interfere with the wearing of goggles, so it was removed from the upper portion of the mask in later production runs, as seen on this example.

Some examples of the "D" mask in use. First two images are Hellcat pilots from VF-5 aboard USS Yorktown in summer of 1943. Last is a screen capture of USMC ace Ken Walsh's Corsair, white 13, "VIVA!". His "D" mask and hose can be seen hanging down the starboard side of the cockpit exterior.